Metropolitan line to get air conditioning

London mayor Boris Johnson has taken a ride on the first underground train to get air conditioning.

Mr Johnson's trip occurred in a prototype carriage that uses vents in the roof to supply cooler air, designed to relieve the problems suffered by commuters on hot days, the Evening Standard reports.

However, the paper notes, the service can only be used on the larger carriages that run in sub-surface tunnels, meaning other solutions will have to be sought for trains designed for deeper tunnels.

The first commuters scheduled to benefit from the trains - from 2010 - will be users of the Metropolitan Line, which will include those living in boroughs such as Harrow, Westminster and Camden.

Those looking to find a place to rent in London may be attracted to these areas, as the morning and evening commute could be much more pleasant.

Mr Johnson told the Evening Standard: "After decades spent sweltering, in just two years' time Londoners on the sub-surface lines will be able to use the first of these superb trains."

Another possible new feature of the Underground which passengers may be able to enjoy in the future is mobile phone coverage.

Transport for London is running a six-month trial on the Waterloo and City Line this year.

A similar trial is also being run on Glasgow's Subway network and underground coverage already exists on Newcastle's Metro.

Published 25th September, 2008

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